I was eight years old when I first got the gist of what the older people called "the Atonement". The mini me randomly asked my mama "Why do we go egg hunting on Easter Sunday?" She shrugged and said she does not know. However, she gave me a wise response by asking "But do you know the importance of this day to you, to me, and to everyone?"
It has been 15 years since that Easter Sunday but the lesson which my Mama lovingly gave continues to stay with me and has comforted me during the times that I needed it the most....and by that I mean "everyday".
How can the knowledge that Christ, the literal Son of God, walked on the earth and lived like us help us in times of trials and challenges?
How can knowing that Christ suffered in Gethsemane and died in Calvary give hope and renewal to a soul marred with sin?
How can the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Resurrection Sunday comfort us when we are separated by death from a loved one?
Our loving Father in Heaven knows that living here on earth is not easy or convenient. As human beings, we are susceptible to pain, sorrow, and sin. Because He is "all knowing and all loving", He gave us His only begotten Son to be our Savior and Redeemer -- to save us from our iniquities and infirmities.
When Christ lived here on earth, He had experienced hardships much alike ours. He was never financially rich. He was always rejected, mocked, accused. He felt the pain of losing a loved one. He knew how it is to be tempted. He understands how it is to be denied by your closest friend. His heart also broke. Allowing himself to undergo these events that comes with being human, HE KNOWS AND COMPREHENDS WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH. A Book of Mormon prophet placed it this way:
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and aafflictions and btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him adeath, that he may bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to csuccor his people according to their infirmities.
...when you feel that your heart is overwhelmed with the pains of the world and it seems like comfort cannot be found anywhere, turn to Him. He understands because He lives.As human beings, our flesh can sometimes be weak which results to us breaking God's commandments. Oh, the guilt that comes with sin; the agony that comes with regret! The heartbreaking moments that you could shout and say "If only I could turn back time!" When we feel that we are like a hopeless case, we are reminded that Someone loved us so much that he drank the "bitter cup" to save us from our sins. It was never easy to bear the sins of the world but have you ever thought of the incomprehensible love that inspired Jesus , despite the many temptations that came to Him, to make sure He is worthy and pure to fulfill the role of a Savior? Our chances don't end when we commit sin. We can change and be clean from our sins because He lives.
One inevitable event that comes with life here on earth is death. It may be a death of a loved one, death of a dream, death of plans so joyfully made, death of a peaceful comfortable life. Whatever death it may be, its sting, undeniably, is crippling. We tend to ask God "Why?!" When everything seems hopeless, may we always remember that since Christ overcame death, we too, can overcome the deaths in our lives. We will "rise up from the tomb". We can be reunited with those who have gone from us; we can rebuild our lives; we can start building new dreams and plans from the ashes. Despite the Maundy Thurdays and Dark Fridays of our lives, Resurrection Sunday will surely come. All of this is possible because He lives.
What great tender mercy it is! What great wisdom and great love! Because He was sent here, He died, and was resurrected, we can endure life and be back to Father once again. Indeed, God loves us all so much.
May we see this Sunday beyond the Easter Eggs and family vacations. May we always remember that everything is possible because HE LIVES.
